Uneasy at Elias's uncharacteristic behavior, Qiong Xing stood up.
Leaving Cari in Leander's care, he stepped out of the room.
He heard Leander calling after him, trying to stop him, but he ignored it.
Remembering that Elias had said he had business with Joa, Qiong Xing went to Joa's room and knocked.
But Joa told him that Elias had not come there.
"What's wrong?"
"…He doesn't know. Elias suddenly left the room…"
"He left you behind? That's… ah—maybe it's started?"
Started? What had?
It must have shown on his face, because Joa immediately explained.
"It's his rut."
"Ah."
Only then did Qiong Xing realize.
Now that it was said aloud, Elias had been mentioning it all along.
That it would be soon.
That it was close.
But why?
"If that's the case, why did Elias leave the room? Even though I was there. I'm Elias's—"
"His mate, right?"
"…What?"
What did that mean?
